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July 16, 2007
 Letter from Mary Russ, Executive Director of the White River Partnership. For more information on the White River Partnership (WRP), call 802-767-4600 or visit online: www.whiteriverpartnership.org
Hello everyone,
Ron and I just got back from attending an emergency planning session in Waterbury about didymo (the invasive river algae, also called “rock snot”). I learned that there are 2 confirmed didymo blooms (super-abundance of algae): one near Bloomfield on the upper CT River and one on the mainstem of the White River between Stony Brook (Stockbridge) and Cleveland Brook (Bethel). Both confirmed blooms are established, so our best guess is that the didymo has been around at least since the spring. As a result, we’re hypothesizing that other watersheds have been exposed already.
Here’s the immediate response plan we developed:
1) Post signs at all access points along the upper CT River and the entire White River. In concept, the signs will give general info about didymo (with pictures) and specific information about preventing its spread – we’re going to place strong emphasis on the “clean” step of New Zealand’s “Check – Clean – Dry” protocol and recommend using detergent over bleach and salt. We’re trying to get the signs posted by the middle of next week. NH and VT are going to use the same signs.
2) Get a website online. The website will include the sign, links to EPA and New Zealand resource websites, information about identification and where to send samples, and maps identifying where didymo has been confirmed. We’re trying to get the website online by the middle of next week.
3) VT Fish & Wildlife is developing a set of protocols for state employees to follow to prevent spreading didymo into other watersheds. They will share this set of protocols with all VT and NH partners; I think this will also appear on the website. They’re trying to get these protocols developed by the middle of next week.
4) Justin Johnson is setting up a press event for the end of next week to raise awareness about the signs, the website, and the protocols. He’s going to include the NHDES and VTDEC Commissioners as well as Governor Douglas (if possible). They are planning to hold the event somewhere on the White River.
5) Angela Shambaugh is developing information about identification and where to send samples. Eventually this information will be disseminated in 2 forms: a detailed form for partners and a simplified form for the general public (using the invasive watchcard as a model). Some form of this information will be on the website sooner rather than later.
The WRP is going to help put up signs, add information and links to our website, attend the press event, and help raise awareness. Ron and I talked about sending an update to our email list and setting up a didymo identification training for water quality monitors and anyone else who is interested. Beyond that, we think it makes sense to try to raise money to conduct ongoing outreach. If you have other ideas or concerns, please let me know!
Thanks,
Mary
PS from Ron - And in the meantime you'll want to start cleaning/soaking (in hot, soapy water or bleach solution) anything that touches river water... even if you haven't fished, paddled or swam in those rivers already confirmed to have didymo because it is highly likely that it is present in others rivers and just hasn't been reported as of yet. For more details see www.biosecurity.govt.nz |
